Finding owners of an empty house

livalicious

Hi there,

There is an empty property in our street, that is derelict and in the time Ive lived in the street (almost 3 years) its been empty. Theres an old BMW thats been parked on the drive for so long, it has vines growing all over it.

Its probably a long shot (and maybe just a pipe dream) but we would like to looking into possible purchasing the property. Ive contacted CAB, who said to get the title register off Land Registry, which I have done. It gives the owners names, but lists the address as that of the said property. It doesnt say how much it was purchased for, only the date which was some time in 1983.

How do I go about tracing the owners, or finding out possibly if we could put an offer on it? Where do we begin?? I know that the chances of this happening is slim to none, but Id like to say we gave it a go at least.

Thanks!

Cannon_Fodder

Write to that address? They may have postal redirection...

Mum_of_3_3

Have a word with your local council I think most of them have an 'Empty Homes Officer'. They may be aware of the situation already and may be in contact with the owners trying to get them to fix it up. I think the EHO can also force the owners to sell if they aren't oing anything with the empty property.

M_o_3

EDIT: Had to Google Empty Homes Agency just to make sure I wasn't making all the above up! I came across the following website which may be handy for you http://reportemptyhomes.com/

mlz1413

OP do you know anyone who has lived in the street for a long time? Could you ask them what they know about the previous / current owners?

Talk to your local counciller and ask them what you are asking here.

RAS

is it one owner or two?

your local library (main one) shoudl have copies of the electoral roll going back years.

Check the address for the following years. If the name stops being regsitered, assuming they have moved or died.

If you have the full name(s), see if your main library has the Births Death and Marriages register.

livalicious

Thank you for the really good advice, Im thinking of knocking on the neighbours doors to ask them if they know anything about the house or the owners.

The title register says its owned by two people, who I assumed are married, man and woman, same last name.

I will mosey over to the library at the weekend to check the birth, deaths and marriages register, and the electoral roll and ring up the local council, to see if know anything!

What happens if they both died and had no relatives to leave the property too, does it then belong to the council, and what do they normally do in a situation like that?

RAS

livalicious wrote: »

The title register says its owned by two people, who I assumed are married, man and woman, same last name.

If this is the case, then you may be able to find their marriage prior to 1983 in the BDM. That would give you details of their father/parents and possibly other family names (witnesses).

Is there any reference to a mortgage or lender?

livalicious wrote: »

What happens if they both died and had no relatives to leave the property too, does it then belong to the council, and what do they normally do in a situation like that?

The rules of intestacy apply. If there really were no very remote relatives, then it goes to the Crown

tiff

How about asking the police to trace the owners via the car registration number?

livalicious

Yes it says Barclays were the lenders.

What would the crown do with the house then if was the case?

I didnt know the police could give the general public that information, could try that too then!

tiff

I dont think they would give you any info but they might be able to help in some way.

jrrowleyws

livalicious wrote: »

I didnt know the police could give the general public that information, could try that too then!

I doubt they would.